Beer dispensing device



March 21, 1939v T. A. HuTsELL n BEER DISPENSING DEVICE Filed May 5, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet l March 21, 1939- i T. A. HUTsl-:LL 2,151,110

BEER DISPENSING DEVICE Filed May 5, 1958 5 Shces-Sheet 2 (aa as \az,

M' /6 /56 /85 /o /27 ATTORNEYS March 21, 1939. T. A. HUTsELL 2,151,110

BEER DISPENS ING DEVICE Filed May 5, 1938 5 Shets-Sheet 3 March 21, 1939- T. A. HUTSELL BEER DISPENSING DEVICE Filed May 5, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEYS T. A. HUTSELL March 21, 1939.

BEER DISPFINS TNG DFIVTCF Filed May 5, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 8l A INVENTOR. Thoma fflucall ATTORNEYS Il IHII/ Patented Mur.v 2l, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE alarm 'ma msrnNsmo nevica Thomas A. Hutnll, Seattle, Willi. Application my s, 193s, semi No. 206.245 iz claim.. (ci. zas-v1) My present invention relates to equipment for handling, metering and dispensing of efferves- This present invention is similar in many respects to my'co-pending application Serial Number 180,430. In my present equipment, however, I have simplified my former construction vand have modiied certain parts thereof sothat certain advantages and improvements are obtained in the new structure.

My present dispenser has for its primary object the drawing, measuring and uniform dispensing oi' eilervescent or gas-charged beverages such as, for instance, beer.

dispensed.

A further object of my present invention is to provide means whereby beer and similar liquids can be dispensed by inexperienced help. in such cesslvdrafts.

Another important object of tion is to quick setting to change the rate of discharge of the liquid measured.

Other and more specific objects will bel apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure l is a perspective view showing the outside appearance of my dispensers and how they appear installed on a typical bar.

Figure 2 is an elevation partly in section illustrating my dispensing device.

.other portions of Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view in plan taken along the line 6-8 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a view taken along the same cutting planes as Figure 5 and in the Figure 8 is a cross-sectional vi ew, in plan, taken along the lln'e 8 8 of 5.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary, vertical, sectional view taken substantially 1n the same sense as Figure 3 but showing the opposite side of my dispenser.

Figure l0 is similar to Figure 9 but shows the operating handle and the parts controlled thereby in the position assumed when the handle is depressed.

Figure l1 is.

a cross-sectional view, in plan, taken along the line ii-ii of Figure 5. the drawings, like reference characters indicate like parts, i2

rod opening 2Q, and the discharge valve opening 2i. Disposed for reciprocation within cylinder it is the metering piston 22. This is preferably formed of two plates as 24 and 25 secured to piston rod 2l as by the piston washer 30. To prevent leakage along piston rod 21 I provide a packing gland at 32 which may be adjustably seated so as to provide secure engagement between the packing and rod 2l.

Coaxially disposed with cylinder I8 is piston 44 which is so supported that cylinder' 88 reciprocates on it. The positioning of piston 44 is con- 46 which in turn adjusts trolled by hand-wheel the position of piston 44 by means of the large stem of piston 44. Pisthread 48 cut in the ton 44 controls the extent of the downward motion of the assembly 86|, piston rod 21, and piston 22, by forming a stop at 50 where it engages an upper member 52 of piston assembly 84. It would naturally follow that as the position of piston 44 is changed by adjustment of screws 46 the lower most movenifmt of the piston will be limited and in this way accurate measurement of the volume of liquid that he admitted above piston 22 will be accurately and positively determined. The upper movement of piston 22 is limited by the surface 53 of cylinder I8.

Cylinder 36 ,is vented at its top and bottom, at its top by a passageway 55 which is controlled by a check valve 56. This check valve is in turn controlled by hand wheel 51 adjust the lowermost partv of limit the rise of valve 56 from way a control of the outflow of oil from cylinder 36 is provided. The oli passing through opening 55 then passes out through a vent 56 into an annular channel 62 which communicates with passageway Sii. This passageway is in turn concontrol valve which serves to stem 58 so as to by adjustment of nut 66 on the stem oi plunger 61 which places the desired tension on the spring 61a which urges plunger 61 downwardly. Valve 65 can open normally only when the spring urged plunger 61 is raised through means of the balanced lever v68 and' associated mechanism when the operating handle 410 is depressed. The oil which has been forced out of cylinder 36 through the passageways indicated then iiows down through opening 1| into the annular chamber 88 where, when the proper phase of the cycle occurs, it then the bottom of chamber 3,8 up past check valve 13 until it is again conned within cylinder 86.

Plunger 61 is operated by the mechanism probably best shown in Figures 9, 10, and 11. This is accomplished by a parallelogram arrangement consisting of a member 15l which isffixedly securedto cylinder assembly 84. A second parallel member 16 is operatively joined to member15' by two connecting links, of equal length, disposed in parallel relationship after .the showing of Figs. connecting bell crank 11 which is disposed for partial revolution about the xed pivot 18 has a roller 18 which is adapted toengage member 16 and has the other leg of the bell crank disposed within the path moves with the outlet valve which is thus operated by handle 16 is provided at its upper end with a through pin 82 which has a bearing on the upper surface of the bifurcated end of lever 68 after the showing, particularly, of Figure ll. When so arranged any pressure to the left as viewed in Figures 9 and 10 applied to member 16 lowers it and thus depresses that end of lever. 68 and raises the other end thus raising plunger 61.

It is believed that a study of Figures 3, 5, and '1 will show the method employed to operate the outlet valve 8|. This consists of yoke 84 which is pivotally secured as at 85 to asleeve 86 which encircles the valve assembly 8| Aand is adapted at certain phases of the operating cycle to engage its seat. In this is drawn-through the opening in i washer 80 and thus raise lthe entire assembly including valve 81.

The operation of the intake valve is accomplished by a piston rod 9| and which is pivotally connected to lever Si. pivoted on a ilxed pivot at and at its opposite end is pivotally connected to lever 10 by means of link 66. In this manner when the operating handie 'Iii is in its upper position the piston rod 0E through the linkage described is raised, lifting valve 80 up ofi its seat |6 against compression spring 81.

In order to provide an accurate accounting of the liquid dispensed i2 provide a conventional tally or counting mechanism at |00 which mechanism is provided with a friction drive wheel |0I and is secured to a pivoted frame |02. This frame is pivoted at |03 and is normally urged to the right as viewed in Figure 3 by a compression spring |06. During the downward travel of piston 22 a portion of member |02 shown at |06 engages a roller |01 which is revolvably mounted on lever 94. When the piston is traveling upwardly as in the dispensing stage of the cycle wherein the operating handle 10 is in its lower position, wheel |01 is withdrawn to the right as viewed in Figure 3 and, under urgence of spring |04, friction wheel |0I is then able to engage its friction surface |08 and thus during the dispensing cycle, it will accurately measure the volume dispensed and when the piston is on itsfllling cycle the counting mechanism is lifted from surface |08 and no registry is made that might interfere with accurate nal results.

Method of operation In starting the .operation of rm' device it may be assumed that the piston 22 is in its uppermost position as is illustrated in Figure 'l and it is normeiiy held in this position by the plurality of compression springs is as itis desirable to use the device operating handle 'i6 is raised to its uppermost position thereby opening valve 80 as in Figure 3. This permits the beer or other liquid under pressure to enter cylinder |8 through the supply pipe ||0. The pressureof this-liquid must be sullcient to force piston 22 downwardly to its'fullest extent, against springs 42, until the piston assembly 34 cornes to rest on piston 44 which has been set to a predetermined adjusted position.

To assure full control of the beer it is necessary to, at all times, keep sufiicient pressure on the same to prevent the formation of gas bubbles, even tiny ones, in the beer being measured otherwise excessive foaming may result. For the majority of b'eers aminimum pressure of fteen to twenty pounds a. square inch is required in cylinder I8. 'I'his pressure isv provided for by the proper choice of strength for spring 61a and by so adjusting nut 66, disposed on plunger 61, that the oil in chamber 62 cannot lift valve 65 from its seat until its pressure is built up sufficiently to maintain the desired pressure in cylinder I8.

During this charging' of cylinderV I8 the oil which was 'formerly'in chamber 38 has passedup past the ball check valve 13 and has come to rest 81 by means of the mechanism connected to handle 10 and under urgence oi springs 42 assembly 3l carryingwith it piston 22, is moved upwardly forcing the beer in the cylinder out through the discharge spout ||2'. The speed of this discharge is controlled by the clearance permitted speed of delivery.

To provide against liquid becoming air-bound in spout ||0, I provide a vent at ||2. This vent is normally closed by valve IM and is opened by arranging a lip on the'stem of valve I i4 as ||5 to be lifted by a lug ||8 on assembly 34 near the upward limit of its movement as is indicated in Figure 7.

When handle 10 is in a horizontal position the dispenser is in its inoperative condition with the dispensing valve 81 and the intake valve 40 closed.

tion of the discharged by the keg pressure on the beer supply line by unscrewing valve stem |20 so as to lift the pointed end of the same from seat |2|. The air will be forced out along stem- |20 and finally through passageway |22; the operation should be continued until Ibeer appears.

If it is desired to blow the beer out of the cooling coils and associated tubing back vinto the beer keg, an air hose may be connected to the grooved tip |24 and by applying an .air pressure greater than the keg pressure the lines can be blown clear. To avoid loss of air pressure at threads |25, stem |20 should be unscrewed until valve portion |26 of stem |20 comes to rest on seat |21.

'I'he foregoing description and the accompanying drawings are believed to clearly disclose a preferred embodiment of my invention but it will lbe understood that this disclosure is merely illustrative and that such changes in the invention may be made as are fairly within the scope and spirit of the following claims.

I claim: v

l. In a beer dispensing device the combination of, a metering chamber adapted to be formed of a molded plastic; a reciprocable piston disposed within said chamber, said piston adapted to be depressed by controlled fiuid pressure; compression springs disposed to resist said fluid pressure and to raise saidpiston when said fluid pressure ceases to act upon said piston; a spring-closed intake valve for said metering chamber; a spring-closed dispensing valve for said metering chamber; operating means for opening said dispensing valve; means for holding said intake valve open and means controlled by the operating means for releasing the holding means whereby the intake valve is closed before the dispensing valve is opened.

2. In a beer dispensing device the combina.- tion of, a metering chamber adapted to be ad- Justably varied in volume; a reciprocable piston disposed within said chamber, said piston adapted to be depressed by iiuid pressure;, compression springs disposed to resist the movement of said piston by said fluid pressure and to raise said piston when said uid pressure ceases to act upon said piston; a spring-closed intake valve for said metering chamber; a spring-closed dispensing valvefor said metering chamber; operating means i'or opening said dispensing valve; means for holding said intake valve, means for holding said intake valve open and means controlled by the operating means for releasing the holding means whereby the intake valve is closed before the dispensing valve is opened.

3. In a beer dispensing device the combination of, a measuring cylinder: a reciproeable piston disposed within said cylinder, said piston adapted to be depressed by uld pressure; means for holding said piston in a depressed position; springs disposed to resist said fluid pressure and to raise said piston when said fluid pressure ceases to act upon said piston and said holding means is released; a spring-closed intake valve for said measuring chamber; a spring-closed dispensing valve for said measuring chamber; operating means for opening said dispensing valve; means for holding said intake valve open and operating means for releasing the holding means whereby the intake valve is closed before the dispensing valve is opened.

4. In a beer dispensing device the combination of a measuring and dispensing chamber; a reciprocable piston disposed for vertical movement within said metering chamber; spring means disposed to raise said dispensing piston; means for introducing uid pressure to depress said piston; means for adjusting the travel of said piston to vary the capacity of the dispensing chamber; uid control means adapted to control the dispensing speed of said piston; said dispensing chamber having an inlet valve and a dispensing valve; operating means for opening a dispensing valve and means actuated by the operating means for closing the intake valve before the dispensing valve is opened.

5. In a beer dispensing device the combination of a measuring and dispensing cylinder, a reciprocable piston disposed within said cylinder adapted to be depressed by fluid pressure; springurged means disposed to raise said dispensing piston; means for adjusting the travel of said piston to vary the capacity of the dispensing cylinder: fluid control means adapted to control the upward speed of said piston; means for adjusting said uid control means to provide varying speed of travel for said piston, said dispensing cylinder having a spring closedinlet valve seated in its upper surface; a spring-closed dispensing valve for said cylinder disposed substantially above the top of said cylinder; operating means for opening the dispensing valve and means actuated by the operating means for releasing the open intake valve so it may close Ibefore the dispensing valve is opened. l

6. In a beer dispensing device the combination oi', a measuring and dispensing chamber; a spring lifted piston. disposed within said dispensing chamber, adapted to be depressed by uid pressure; means for adjusting the travel of said piston, to vary the capacity of the dispensing chamber; uid control means adapted to control the upward speed of said piston; means for adjusting said iuid control means to speed of travel for said piston; adapted to be seated in the upper surface of said dispensing chamber; dispensing valve for said chamber disposed substantially above the top of said chamber; operating means for opening the dispensing valve and means actuated by the operating means for closing the open intake valve before the dispensing valve is opened.

7. In a beer dispensing device the combination of, a housing, a measuring cylinder; a measuring piston disposedfor reciprocation within said cylinder; means for actuating lsaid piston; a

an inlet 'Valve provide varying dispenser;

4 stop for said piston adapted to be adjusted in position from the outside of said housing to control the extreme downward travel of said piston; fluid control means adapted to regulate the rate of travel of said piston during its dispensing cycle; means adapted control said. fluid control means from the outside of said housing; a spring-seated intake valve disposed in upper surface of said metering chamr; a spring-seated dispensing valve disposed in said cylinder; mechanically controlled means for timing the movement of fluid of said control means; an operating handle for said dispenser; connecting means for each of said intake valve, dispensing valve and fluid control means to time he operation of the same sothat the intake va ve will be closed, and the dispensing valve opened beicre the fluid control means is opened to prevent the flow of liquid and permit thel movement of said piston.

8. In a beer dispensing device, having a nous:`

ing, the combination of a measuringv cylinder; a@

metering and dispensing piston disposed for reciprocation within said cylinder, spring-actuated means for raising sai-d piston during its dispensing stroke; an intake passageway disposed to introduce beer under pressure above said piston so as to depress the same against the pressure of said spring-actuated means; a stop for said piston adapted to be adjusted in position, from the outside of said housing, to control the extreme downward travel of said piston; iluid control means adapted to regulate the rate of travel of said piston during its dispensing stroke; meansadapted to adjust and control said fluid control means from the outside of said housing; a spring-seated intake valve disposed in the upper surface of said metering cylinder; a spring-seated dispensing valve -disposed above the upper surface of said cylinder; mechanically controlled means for timing the movement of the fluid of said control means; an operating handle for said means connected to said handle for each oi said intake valves, dispensing valve and fluid control means arranged to time the operation of the same so that the intake valve will be closed, and the dispensing valve opened before the rluid control means is opened to permit the ilow of control-liquid and permit the movement of said piston. v

9; In a beer dispensing device, having a housing, the combination of, a measuring cylinder; a measuring piston disposed for reciprocation within said cylinder; spring-actuated means for raising said piston; an intake passageway disposed to introduce beer under pressure above said piston so as to depress the same against the pressure of said spring-actuated means; stop means for said piston adapted to be adjusted in position to control the extreme downward travel of said piston; fluid control means adapted to regulate the rate of travel of saidfpiston during its dispensing cycle; means adapted to adjust and control said fluid control means; an intake valve disposed in said measuring cylinder; a dispensing valve disposed in said cylinder; mechanir press said .gas-charged liquids dle for said dispenser; connecting means for each of said intake control means to time the operation of the same sc that the intake valve will be closed, and the dispensing valve opened before the fluid control means is opened to prevent the ow of liquid in said uid control means andpermit the movement of said piston.

10. In a device for measuring and dispensing gas-charged liquids the combination of a metering chamber; a piston disposed in said chamber for movement along its axis; a liquid supply line adapted to supply liquid under pressure to depiston; an intake valve communicating with the metering chambe a discharge valve located in the uppermost portion of said chamber; iiuid means for controlling the upward movement of said piston; means for adjusting said control means adapted to predetermine the rate of upward travel of said piston; resilient means disposed to urge the measuring piston upwardly to effect the discharge of the measured liquid from said chamber and a manual control handle, suitably connected, to operatethe intake valve, valve automatically in proper phase relationship.

ll. In a device for measuring and dispensing the combination of a metering chamber; a measuring piston disposed in said chamber for movementalong a vertical axis; a liquid supply line adapted to supply liquid to said chamber; an intake valve communicating with the metering chamber above said piston; a discharge valve located in the uppermost portion of said' chamber; a gas trap chamber disposed below said discharge valve; a fluid controlled retarding means for controlling the upward movement of said piston and the rate of such movement; control means adapted to predetermine the maximum downward travel of said measuring piston; compression springs disposed to urge the measuring piston up; a manual control handle suitably connected to operate the device, and mechanically operated air venting means for the chamber above said pistonand adjacent said discharge valve.

12. In a beer dispensing device the combination of, a metering chamber; a reciprocable piston -disposed within said chamber, said piston adapted to be depressed by fluid pressure; fluid control means adapted to maintain a .desired minimum fluid pressure on said piston; means-l disposed to resist said fluid pressure and to raise said piston when said uid pressure ceases to act upon said piston; an intake valve for said metering cham-ber; dispensing valve for said metering chamber; operating means for opening said dispensing valve; means for holding said intake valve open and means controlled by the operating means for releasing the holding means whereby the intake valve is closed before the dispensing valve is opened. f, n

' THOMAS A. HUTSELL.

fluid control means, and the dischargel valve, dispensing valve and fluid 

